Athletic freak can be the perfect solution for a problem the Packers have to solve without spending much
Mike Washington Jr. impressed at the NFL Combine
The Green Bay Packers still have Josh Jacobs — but he’s under contract for only two more years. Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks are set to hit free agency, and MarShawn Lloyd hasn’t been able to stay healthy throughout his NFL career. With only Damien Martinez and Pierre Strong Jr. on the roster behind Jacobs, it’s reasonable to expect that general manager Brian Gutekunst could look for a running back in the draft.
Well, there is one in particular who’s hard to overlook: Mike Washington Jr., from Arkansas.
Ideal prospect fit the Packers
Our College Football & NFL Draft Managing Editor Travis May was at the NFL Scouting Combine last week and utilized our athletic measurement tool to establish Washington as one of the most athletic running back prospects in history — he’s more athletic than Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love, who’s widely regarded as a first-round prospect.
It’s not the athleticism that will define where a player will get drafted, and Washington is now the 118th overall prospect on the consensus big board — the sixth running back. However, the scheme fit and the college production are there as well.
Scouting profile
Mike Washington Jr. played five seasons of college football — three at Buffalo, one at New Mexico State, and his final one at Arkansas. This past year, he had 1,070 rushing yards (6.4 per attempt) and eight touchdowns, in addition to 28 receptions for 226 yards and one receiving TD. NFL analyst Lance Zierlein compared him to former Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson — and Carson was drafted by John Schneider, who comes from the Packers scouting tree.
“He has breakaway speed in the open field and is capable as an inside/outside runner. Running to his size with a greater degree of aggressiveness will be the key as he makes the jump. Washington has the traits and talent to become a solid rotational back.” — Lance Zierlein
That’s exactly what the Packers need. He can be a solid fit for Matt LaFleur’s zone-blocking scheme and his style complements what Josh Jacobs does well. Washington is only 22, so even though running back is a difficult position to age well, there’s still plenty of room for improvement.
Without a first-round pick, the Packers aren’t in position to make huge investments in running back depth. But if Washington is still there, let’s say, in the fourth round, taking a shot at his upside would make a lot of sense for Green Bay.
Green Bay Packers News
Packers have multiple compelling reasons to capitalize on fresh market development before rivals react
Tyler Biadasz is a great option for Green Bay.
